Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Wanted: Advent movies for family faith formation
An email a few weeks ago, got me thinking:
> > I am working on some Advent practices for our Community. I would like each family to watch a movie with Advent themes however I don’t have a clue as far as to any good movies with Advent theme’s. I am wondering if you have any suggestions.
Wanting to involve generations, here are four for starters. Any other ideas for my friend?
Narnia is obvious one. Since Advent is about waiting, it would be interesting to contrast Mr Tumnus with the Beavers in terms of how to live life under dominating narratives.
The nativity – I really like how it brings out the reality of living under Empire and the precariousness of peasant existence.
The motorcyle diaries – bit vulgar in places, but the scene where “che” swims the river to be with the lepers (on his birthday!) is a fantastic image of Incarnation
Over the hedge might be interesting, as it offers a critique of Western eating habits and consumer lifestyles, which does have echoes with consumption at Christmas – see my film review here
)
Son Of Rambow
Lars & the Real Girl
Ratatouille
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Comment by bob c — October 16, 2008 @ 4:33 pm
Ta Bob- any chance of a sentence or 2 explaining why, just to help us join the dots?
and i thought of another overnight – children of God – futuristic, but fascinating echoes of Mary story.
steve taylor
http://www.emergentkiwi.org.nz
Comment by steve — October 16, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
oops – not children of God, but “children of men” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_Men
Comment by steve — October 17, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
2 years ago I used films that explored great advent themes Faith, Grace and Hope:
Signs – a film about faith. Faith that is lost, found, deepened, misunderstood, grows, is in relationship.
Chocolat – I suggested that chocolate is actually a character in the film, and that people are changed by interacting with it. I also suggested that the character was actually a sign of grace. How are people changed when they enciounter true grace (which the film shows playing out in a number of scenarios)
Groundhog Day – considering everyday life as a kind of Groundhog day loop – that is impossible to escape, until one places something else at the centre of life, and realises that our lives are God’s gift to others.
The Shawshank Redemption – how does one have Hope in a hopeless situation? what are the signs and sources of hope? how does both hopelessness and hopefulness transofrm character and response in the face of extreme suffering?
Comment by Jonathan — November 22, 2008 @ 10:53 am
I wondered if you were to choose 4 films for advent what might make your list?
Comment by Andy Goodliff — August 19, 2011 @ 12:41 am